Intensive Livestock Farming

Intensive Livestock Farming discusses the process of breeding cattle and the products it provides. It describes the developments in calf production. The book identifies the intensive systems of milk production. The technology involved in the production of beef is covered in some chapters of the text. An article that explains sheep husbandry is also included. The start and the modification of the breeding season of sheep are discussed in detail. The developments in modern sheep breeding are analyzed. A chapter of the book covers the farming of pigs housed intensively. The nutrition of the extremely managed pig is explained. A section of the volume is concerned with the scientific and practical aspects of enhanced pig breeding techniques. The book also explains the structure of the poultry industry of England and Wales. The cost of running a poultry farm is well presented. The book will provide useful information to cattle breeder, poultry farmers, students, and researchers.

Animal Agriculture: Sustainability, Challenges and Innovations discusses the land-based production of high-quality protein by livestock and poultry and how it plays an important role in improving human nutrition, growth and health. With exponential growth of the global population and marked rises in meat consumption per capita, demands for animal-source protein are expected to increase 72% between 2013 and 2050. This raises concerns about the sustainability and environmental impacts of animal agriculture. An attractive solution to meeting increasing needs for animal products and mitigating undesirable effects of agricultural practices is to enhance the efficiency of animal growth, reproduction, and lactation. Currently, there is no resource that offers specific knowledge of both animal science and technology, including biotechnology for the sustainability of animal agriculture for the expanding global demand of food in the face of diminishing resources. This book fills that gap, giving readers all the necessary information on important issues facing modern animal agriculture, namely its sustainability, challenges and innovative solutions. Integrates new knowledge in animal breeding, biotechnology, nutrition, reproduction and management Addresses the urgent issue of sustainability in modern animal agriculture Provides practical solutions on how to solve the current and future problems that face animal agriculture worldwide

Air Emissions from Animal Feeding Operations: Current Knowledge, Future Needs discusses the need for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to implement a new method for estimating the amount of ammonia, nitrous oxide, methane, and other pollutants emitted from livestock and poultry farms, and for determining how these emissions are dispersed in the atmosphere. The committee calls for the EPA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to establish a joint council to coordinate and oversee short - and long-term research to estimate emissions from animal feeding operations accurately and to develop mitigation strategies. Their recommendation was for the joint council to focus its efforts first on those pollutants that pose the greatest risk to the environment and public health.

"The assessment builds on the work of the Livestock, Environment and Development (LEAD) Initiative"--Pref.

Air quality has a direct influence on health, welfare and production performance of livestock as the high concentrations of noxious gases, dust and airborne microorganisms are likely to reduce production efficiency and the general welfare of farm animals. Long term exposure to particulates in livestock buildings might also affect the respiratory health of farm workers. Dust in animal buildings contains many biologically active substances such as bacteria, fungi, endotoxins and residues of antibiotics (as a result of veterinary treatments) that are suspected to be hazardous to human health. Furthermore, air pollutants emitted from livestock buildings can reduce air, water and soil quality and can potentially undermine the health of nearby residents. Airborne emissions include ammonia, methane, nitrous oxide, particulates like dust and microorganisms. In addition, other potentially harmful substances such as heavy metals, antibiotic residues and components of disinfectants might be also emitted from livestock building that are potentially damaging to ecosystems. In this book, key aspects of agricultural air quality, such as monitoring, managing and reducing airborne pollutants in and around livestock facilities are reviewed. Features: addressing the raising awareness of the importance of optimal health and welfare for lifestock species with contributions from international specialists and researchers providing up-to-date information for professionals involved in modern animal producti This book will be useful for farming professionals, academics, students, policy makers, business leaders, regulatory bodies and agricultural consultants.

Animal farming' is a readable, thought-provoking, honest, and unstuffy account of what really happens on Europe's and Britain's animal farms, and how animal farming came to be that way. Stories behind modern farming practices are revealed and concerns are raised over how our farms will look in the future. Fascinating insights and unpalatable questions are presented into the ways that animals are - often wrongly - fed, bred, housed and managed. Learning comes from failures, so the book is more about failures than successes. The author combines well researched facts with well found experience. He commends and condemns in equal measure; often in unexpected ways. A broad range of subjects is covered in the book. What domestication now means for farm animals. How selective breeding has changed them for better and worse. The mixed blessings of government support and subsidisation. The story of abuse of animals' rights and welfare is dealt with in detail, as are ideas of respect and compassion, and the inadequate ways in which animals are fed. The author describes a broken marketing system for livestock products, and also considers organic farming. Lastly, in the present environment of agricultural upheaval in Europe, how can science and technology take animal farming forward? What are the chances of the wrongs being righted - what will tomorrow's farmed animals be for?